While combination planes are defined by their flexibility (Stanley boasted that their #45 was seven planes in one), they are not complex to use and are often faster to set up than a machine for one-off work.
Our combination plane was designed from the ground up to eliminate problems that made the original Record and Stanley planes frustrating to use. It is precisely machined, quick to adjust and holds settings securely, making it reliable in use. With straight cutters used in conjunction with the fence, it can tackle fundamental joinery such as rabbets, tongues and grooves, and with the addition of a shop-made batten, the plane can also be used to cut through-dadoes.
The two-part design of the plane, with a main body and a separate sliding section, lets you accommodate blades of different shapes and sizes to make cuts ranging from grooves as narrow as 1/8" up to 1" wide rabbets. To prevent tear-out in cross-grain work, adjustable scoring spurs on both the main body and sliding section define the edges of the cut ahead of the blade.
The sliding section adds stability and support to the blade, and clamps securely in place on stainless-steel rods. The fence can be positioned on either side of the plane, allowing you to configure the plane for left- or right-hand use to suit your dominant hand or accommodate grain direction.
Two pairs of rods are included, 5" and 8" long, letting you make cuts reaching up to 5" from the edge of the workpiece. After locking the fence in place, you can fine-tune the position of the torrefied maple face with a micro-adjust thumbscrew. The depth stops on the body and sliding section also have threaded adjustment, making set-up faster and more precise.
A 1/4" straight blade is included with the plane, and a selection of blades for grooving, rabbetting, beading, reeding, and fluting are available separately. The 45° blade bed can also hold any of the right-hand blades for our small plow plane. The position of the blade adjuster prevents left-hand-only blades (1/8" to 3/8" and 4mm to 10mm) from being used in this plane; however, the reversible fence lets you use the right-hand blades for both right-hand and left-hand cuts.
In addition to our Veritas cutters, it also accepts Record 405 and Stanley 45/55 blades. You can use the blades individually or in sequence to create a variety of decorative profiles, from simple to complex, with sizes ranging from furniture edge treatments to architectural details.
A pleasure to use, the plane is 10 1/2" long and weighs 4 lb. Made of stress-relieved ductile iron components with brass fittings and a torrefied maple tote.
Made in Canada.